The nation’s Ministry of Public Health has issued a formal update confirming that its national epidemiological monitoring and control system for endemic diseases and priority health conditions remains fully effective and well-managed. Data from the 28th epidemiological week bulletin, the most recent official public health release, outlines steady progress across multiple key disease surveillance indicators.
For dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, health authorities confirmed three new cases during the tracking week, bringing the 2026 year-to-date national total to 185 confirmed infections. This puts the cumulative national incidence rate at 3.11 cases per 100,000 residents. In line with longstanding public health guidance, the Ministry emphasized that eliminating standing water and mosquito breeding grounds in residential areas and surrounding communities remains the most impactful step residents can take to interrupt the mosquito’s reproduction cycle and prevent new infections.
Turning to malaria, another vector-borne disease, officials reported zero new confirmed cases during the 28th epidemiological week. The year-to-date national total now stands at 112 confirmed cases, for an incidence rate of 1.89 per 100,000 people. This figure marks an 83% reduction in the malaria incidence rate compared to previous year levels, representing a major public health success.
Data for leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread through contact with water contaminated by animal urine, shows one new case recorded in week 28, down from six new cases in the same week last year. The national cumulative total for the year is 238 confirmed cases, with an incidence rate of 4.01 per 100,000 inhabitants. For cholera, a life-threatening waterborne bacterial disease, the nation continues to hold a perfect record of zero confirmed cases both in week 28 and for the entire year to date, keeping the national incidence rate at zero.
Surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) also remains positive, with all circulating activity staying within the expected endemic corridor and running below projected incidence levels. During the 28th tracking week, the national sentinel surveillance network confirmed five new cases of respiratory virus: four cases of Influenza A (H3N2) and one case of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Among outpatient ILI cases, SARS-CoV-2 remained the most common detected pathogen, with four new confirmed cases. Health officials stressed that transmission activity remains stable and fully controlled, with no indicators triggering an epidemiological alert.
In addition to infectious disease surveillance, the Ministry released updated data on maternal and infant mortality, which also shows encouraging downward trends. No new maternal deaths were confirmed during week 28, bringing the 2026 year-to-date total to 72 maternal deaths nationwide. This represents a 27% reduction compared to the 99 maternal deaths recorded in the same period in 2025. For infant mortality, 54 new deaths were reported in week 28, pushing the cumulative total for the year to 949. This marks a 10% drop from the 1,056 infant deaths recorded by the same date in 2025.
Ahead of July 27, recognized globally as World Head and Neck Cancer Day, the Ministry also issued a public appeal urging all citizens to prioritize preventive care for head and neck cancers, a group of serious and potentially deadly malignancies. Health officials called on the public to adopt consistent healthy lifestyles and avoid modifiable risk factors that drastically increase the likelihood of developing these cancers, while also stressing the life-saving importance of early detection. The Ministry clarified that the combined use of tobacco and alcohol is the leading preventable cause of most mouth and larynx carcinomas, while infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 accounts for the largest share of oropharyngeal cancer cases.
The agency outlined key suspicious symptoms that warrant immediate medical evaluation, including non-healing mouth sores, persistent voice changes or hoarseness, unexplained difficulty swallowing, idiopathic ear pain, and persistent neck lumps. To reduce risk and support early diagnosis, the Ministry recommends maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and attending routine preventive medical check-ups, all of which support long-term health and improve outcomes for potential malignancies.